BSc (Hons) in Food Science

You are what you eat

Are you fascinated by food from a scientific point of view? This course could be ideal for you, with its scientific study of food that integrates the basic sciences (biology, chemistry, and mathematics) and examines them within the context of the modern food industry. And with the food industry employing over 650,000 in the UK, it could be a great path to a career.

Why Food Science at LSBU?

This industry-relevant course helps you develop an understanding of the complex commercial nature of the food industry.

Professional links mean you’ll be eligible for student membership of the Institute of Food Science and Technology.

We’re the No.1 London modern university for research quality in Food Science (Complete University Guide League Table, 2018).

Our staff members are experts in their respective fields.

Our dedicated facilities include product development labs with a sensory evaluation suite and an extensive compositional and analytical suite.

With the help of our London Food Centre, you’ll be able to find industrial placements and organize work experience.

Key course information - ordered by mode

Mode

Duration

Start Date

Location

Full-time

3 years

September

Southwark Campus

Sandwich

4 years

September

Southwark Campus

Modules

During the course, you’ll cover a range of contemporary topics, including food safety, food security, nutrition, wellness, sustainability, food ethics, socio-economic issues and official and industrial food control. The course is assessed as 63% coursework.

Year 1

Scientific skills

Biology of the cell

Anatomy and physiology

Foodology

Nutrition health and disease

Numerical methods for biosciences

Year 2

Human nutrition

Public health

Research methods

Food composition, properties, and analysis

Food microbiology

Safe food preparation

Year 3

Advanced topics in food science

New food product development

Food control and sustainability

Current perspectives in bioscience

Project

Employability

The food industry is a major employer and this course can prepare you to enter it. You might find a role in agriculture, manufacturing, retail, and catering. You’ll also be ready to pursue a career as a dietician, product design specialist, retail buyer, or working for government developing food policy.

If you’re keen on further study, then training as a product designer or a dietician is an option. Dieticians provide clear advice to help people make informed decisions about what they eat. If you would rather not undertake further studies, then working as a retail buyer – someone who plans and selects the products sold in shops is another common option on graduation.

A career as a food technologist is a popular route after graduating from this course – especially as both demand and salaries are increasing. Depending on which industry you work in: retail, manufacturing or the public sector, the nature of work is likely to vary. Generally, one of the major roles of a food technologist is to make sure that the food we eat is produced legally, to the quality advertised and as safe as it can be. This is done by conducting experiments on food samples, checking quality control procedures and working with others through the supply chain. A scientific mind, strong attention to detail and the ability to stick to strict hygiene rules are needed. Key transferable skills such as analytical and problem-solving will be developed, opening up opportunities in other industries where this specialized knowledge is in demand.

You might also choose further study at postgraduate level, including for a place on our full-time or part-time MSc Food Safety and Control. The academic strength of this course means that you can also consider entering the field of academic research. Graduates from this course have secured: pure research in universities and research institutions (often leading to a higher degree); and applied research and development in the biological-based industries.

Employability Service

We are the University of the Year for Graduate Employment - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018.

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.

Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Facilities

As a student here you'll learn to solve real-life problems by integrating fundamental knowledge with the practical and social dimensions of science. We have invested heavily in new equipment so that our mix of multi-purpose and specialist laboratories offers you the space and latest equipment for analysis and research. You'll have the opportunity to use all the instrumentation you would expect to find in a modern analytical laboratory as well-equipped food laboratories, with facilities for product development and testing.

Teaching and learning

Personal Tutoring

As an undergraduate Applied Sciences student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU. The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support.

Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University.

Your tutor should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.

You will have a scheduled appointment with your personal tutor in your first semester. From here you will agree how to keep in touch and how often to meet throughout your course. You can contact your tutor for additional support by email.

Entry requirements

A Level CCD including two Science related subjects or

BTEC National Diploma MMM or

Access to HE qualifications with 39 Merits and 6 Passes including 12 credits in Science related subjects or

Equivalent level 3 qualifications worth 96 UCAS points.

Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths and English or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).

We welcome qualifications from around the world. English language qualifications for international students: IELTS score of 6.0 or Cambridge Proficiency or Advanced Grade C.

All modules are subject to change by the university and may differ from the modules you are offered during your studies.